DA distributes livelihood, funds to ex-rebels

The Department of Agriculture (DA) pledged P36 million in livelihood funds for 1,200 former communist rebels and mass-based supporters in Leyte Province in a bid to address poverty and insurgency in the countryside.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the 1,200 former rebels and their mass-based supporters recently vowed to return to the folds of the law, following a relentless reintegration campaign launched by the Philippine Army’s 802nd Brigade under Brig. Gen. Louie Dagoy.

Dagoy, former commander of the Presidential Security Group of President Rodrigo Duterte, said among the concerns of the former rebels and their sympathizers were their livelihood as they return to their farms.

“In response, I committed an initial P5,000 as part of the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program for each of those who surrendered totaling P6 million,” Piñol said. “An additional P30 million will also be made available under the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) Program”.

Moreover, the DA also committed 100 heads of cattle, ducks and incubators for “balut” production.